Portpatrick - an absolute gem 24 September 2022

 

Portpatrick town and harbour as seen from close to the grand Portpatrick Hotel

We have been exceptionally lucky with the weather - a northerly breeze accompanied by clear blue skies and a warming sun. Beautiful.

The Southern Upland Way starts (or ends) in Portpatrick.  It is a coast to coast long distance footpath, stretching 212 miles from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath on the east coast. 


We decided to walk the first mile or two along the coast to Killantringan Lighthouse at Black Head.  With sun beaming down on us it was a fabulous walk - a bit like walking the SW Coast Path in Cornwall and Devon.  Along the way at the sand beach in Port Mora we were treated to a local driftwood sculpture - some people have a wonderfully creative eye. 


A driftwood sand monster in Port Mora

A bit further along the path is Killantringan Lighthouse, now disused as a lighthouse but actively used as a private house - what a place to live!



By the time we got back  - it was about a 6 mile round walk - we were ready for coffee rapidly followed by lunch, and having just finished that, we are onto afternoon coffee - well it is 16.30, so coffee time.

In between times we have enjoyed some of Portpatrick’s local characters.  Passers-by enquiring about our flags - particularly the Celtic Nations flag - encouraged us to replace our rather worn and ragged Belfast and Celtic Nations flags with new ones.  So we’re all fresh and clean now. Other characters also caught our eye: 

Dum Dum the Moai is a favourite - thank Night at the Museum for that.

Other neighbours are less welcome - this damned pigeon coos romantically all day and night right right outside our cabin.  Should have brought a shotgun!


This evening we plan to have dinner in the Crown Hotel which boasts numerous awards for its seafood.  We’re keeping our fingers crossed.













































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